Republican party has co-opted singer’s song ‘Freedom,’ which Kamala Harris has adopted as her campaign anthem
Beyoncé has reportedly threatened to send a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign over the unauthorized use of her song “Freedom.”
On Tuesday (August 20), Donald Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung posted a 13-second video on social media of the Republican nominee deplaning in Michigan. The clip, which sees Trump giving a two-handed fist pump as he walks the tarmac, is overlayed by the singer’s 2016 song.
A source close to Beyoncé told Rolling Stone that the former president did not receive permission to use the track from her hit Lemonade album.
The Independent has contacted Beyoncé’s representative for further comment.
The campaign has since removed the video from X (formerly Twitter).
Vice President Kamala Harris adopted “Freedom” as her unofficial campaign anthem last month after she stepped up to lead the Democratic party’s ticket.
Beyoncé gave Harris permission to use the song through to the November election, CNN reported.
Donald Trump has co-opted Kamala Harris’s campaign anthem, Beyoncé’s 2016 song ‘Freedom’ (Getty Images)
The Trump campaign’s recent use of the song has faced backlash from several Beyoncé fans.
“Freedom is a song written about slavery and police brutality against POC. How disgusting and despicable for any of you to use it to support that convicted felon,” one person tweeted.
Trump was recently hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit by the estate of the late singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes over the alleged unauthorized use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at Republican rallies and in campaign videos.
Lawyers for the Hayes family argue Trump owes the estate $150,000 for each unauthorized use of the song. The Trump campaign has allegedly used it over 100 times.
Earlier this month, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, faced additional condemnation from Celine Dion for playing her Oscar-winning song “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack at their Montana rally.
Dion later called out and mocked Trump over the use of her song in a statement shared on her social media accounts.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc, became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” the post said. “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.”
The statement then lampooned the campaign’s decision to use a song from a film about a sinking ship, adding: “… And really, THAT song?”
Back in 2016, Trump consistently played Adele’s smash hit “Rolling in the Deep” to energize the crowds at his campaign events. Shortly afterwards, the 16-time Grammy winner informed Trump that he did not have her permission to use her song at his rallies.
News
Tracklist Revealed for Eminem’s Expanded Mourner’s Edition: Shady Records Artists Step Forward
Eminem is back with another surprise. After posting a cryptic teaser trailer on social media, announcing the upcoming deluxe edition of his album “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)”, his team accidentally leaked a tracklist. The deluxe album popped up…
“The Marshall Mathers LP” Breaks Spotify Streaming Records, Surprising the Online Community
“The Marshall Mathers LP” takes over “Recovery” as No.2 in Eminem’s streaming catalogue. Both albums simultaneously hit the 4.6 billion streams mark in June this year. Still, the trend was evident: MMLP is currently more popular, and the listeners’ interest pushed…
Eminem – The rapper who set the most records on youtube
Eminem just hit another major milestone. His iconic music video for “Without Me” has officially crossed 2 billion views on YouTube. This not only confirms the song’s legendary status but also makes Eminem the first and only rapper to have…
GOAT Milk? Slim Shady Goes Missing on Milk Cartons Worldwide
In shops around the world, something curious began to appear on milk cartons. But not just any cartons. These were special. Each one featured a “missing” portrait of none other than Slim Shady himself, in a style identical to the…
Eminem’s 20-Year-Old Coffin Shot: The Story Behind the “The D3ath of Slim Shady” Back Cover
The striking image of Slim Shady lying in a coffin for The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) album cover might feel fresh, but its roots go back nearly two decades to a forgotten 2004 photoshoot. The iconic image…
VIDEO: No One SEEMED To NOTICE The Odd REACTION From Caitlin Clark’s Teammate After She Got Decked By Chennedy Carter During Saturday’s Sky-Fever Matchup
Chennedy Carter, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Caitlin Clark’s teammates took some heat for not having her back after she was decked by Chennedy Carter during Saturday’s showdown between the Chicago Sky and the…
End of content
No more pages to load